Kim Davis and George Wallace

The comparison made here to Jeffrey Dahmer is inappropriate and inflammatory in my mind, but one commenter on The Daily KOS’s Facebook post of this meme suggests that Davis is more like James Blake: the man who refused to drive the bus if Rosa Parks did not move- and who said of that event years later: “I wasn’t trying to do anything to that Parks woman except do my job. She was in violation of the city codes, so what was I supposed to do? That damn bus was full and she wouldn’t move back. I had my orders.” He never repented, apparently.

According to the Wikipedia Bio of Gov. Wallace, what’s really interesting is that years later Wallace apologized to the Black Community, saying he was wrong to stand in that doorway to fight for segregation – that it had been born out of his lust for political power and influence, and that because of his conversion to Born Again Christianity later on (in the late 70’s), he now saw how wrong segregation is.

… This doesn’t mean Wallace ever stopped being racist, and I’m sure he never believed he was racist. But, those who knew him well said that he “like most white southerners of his generation, … genuinely believed blacks to be a separate, inferior race.”

Kim Davis is merely a recent (and dim) reflection of those times and passions – there has been no need to call out the National Guard, for instance, to defend those who are the victims of Davis’ prejudice. And the Governor of the State – unlike Gov. Wallace – is trying to tone down the rhetoric and furor surrounding Ms. Davis’s stand, rather than using the controversy to crassly promote his own political career.

I find it sad that Born Again Christians in South the 70’s and 80’s (like Jimmy Carter and George Wallace – who were both Democrats, like Ms. Davis is) were taking stands that promoted social justice and tolerance for all. But now we see some who claim to be “Born Again” – like Davis and Huckabee – taking stands that encourage prejudice and segregation of others. I’m sure they do not see themselves as being prejudiced, as George Wallace did not see himself at the time, but I wonder if Ms. Davis, or Mike Huckabee, or Ted Cruz (among others), will eventually be publicly repenting for their hubris, as the older and wiser Gov Wallace did?

I sure hope so, for their sakes and that of others; but I also hope it doesn’t take nearly as long.

Copyright (c) 2015, Allen Vander Meulen III, all rights reserved. I’m happy to share my writings with you, as long as proper credit for my authorship is given. (e.g., via a credit that gives my full name and/or provides a link back to this site – or just email me and ask!)

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Author: Allen

A would be historian turned IT Professional who responded to the call to the Ministry, and is now focused on social justice and community service. He is a father of two (ages 28 & 7). He and his wife enjoy life near Boston.
You can follow Pastor Allen on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PastorAllenV/ or on Twitter @allenvm3.
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